The next chapter of Suffering and the Sovereignty of God went through the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" stanza by stanza and interpreted it in the context of suffering - so, there are a lot of random concepts. Rather than copy each stanza and go through all the concepts (that would be quite tedious), I'll just bullet and discuss the major lessons from the chapter:
- In the midst of our suffering, we have the firmest foundation we could ever have in God's Word. God's Word is enough to address all of our deepest heart issues and hurts - betrayal, persistent sin, incurable disease, disability, meaning/purpose in life, justice in the face of injustice, etc. Sometimes we just need to look harder and let Him speak to us.
- "Blessed are the poor in spirit". We are refugees; we depend absolutely on God. He uses significant sufferings to teach us to need Him.
- How do we react to serious suffering? Fear and dismay. We often react in negative ways, such as hardness/cynicism; recoiling (self-protection and emotional instability); escape (entertainment/recreation, addiction...escapism is something I noticed I personally use, though I'm talking minor suffering/stress here, mostly). When we obsess over our sufferings, or avoid them, or put up other defense mechanisms, God becomes irrelevant. We don't treat the root of the problem.
- A lot of times, the biggest issue isn't the actual "problem" we experienced; it's our spiritual condition. So often we are dead to God's voice and it's easy to turn inward or become self-absorbed.
- A lot of times, we have the impression that the Bible's truths are cold and stoic (i.e., "Just trust God and accept it", I'm sure we've all heard that one before)...they are anything but. "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good" - 1 Peter 4:19.
Entrusting here doesn't mean that we have some shallow/surreal peace, but rather it is a crying out to God in desperation and belief. As Christians, we should aim to be fully engaged in our troubles and fully engaged in God.
- When we are told in the Bible to "fear not", that doesn't just mean that we should chill. It is an active fearlessness and endurance that comes from grace. In turn, this courage develops wise love in us, helping us to comfort and guide others who are suffering. What you learn in your particular affliction becomes helpful to others in any affliction. Again, suffering people need to hear from others who are walking alongside them.
- Suffering only increases with age. There's the possibility of outliving your loved ones; outliving your relevance; outliving your ability to walk; the ability to be dependent, etc. You will eventually lose every earthly good if you live long enough. Yet, "[t]hough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." - Psalm 23:4. God speaks to us and tells us that He is with us and carries us. Are we listening?
- When thinking about suffering, do we dare to ask, "Why not me?" If my suffering shows my hope to this dark world, then why not me? If my suffering enables me to walk alongside another sufferer and bring him hope, then why not me? If my suffering shows me truly that God's grace is enough and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness, then why not me?
Next post: Hope in the midst of our suffering.
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